We are deeply saddened to share that our friend and colleague Professor Emerita Georgia Baker, the first professor of costume design in the Department of Theatre Arts, passed away on Saturday, September 17. She directed the costume program for over 40 years, curated a collection of historic clothing that dates to the middle of the 19th century, and inspired generations of students—some of whom went on to award-winning careers of their own.
Professor Baker came to Towson University in 1966 after earning a graduate degree in costume design from Stanford University. Generations of theatre students learned costume and makeup design under her tutelage, and she developed a course on color for art students. Her design work was known nationally through her book, A Handbook of Costume Drawing: A Guide to Drawing the Period Figure for Costume Design Students. In addition to teaching, she designed costumes for nine Off Broadway shows, more than 20 productions in regional theatres, Maryland Public Television shows and over 150 productions for the Department of Theatre Arts. She also served as resident costume designer and artistic associate for the Maryland Arts Festival.
As a member of its development committee, Professor Baker championed the restoration of the historic Hippodrome, a 1915 theatre in Baltimore. She was a consultant and guest curator for clothing and textile exhibitions at The Baltimore Museum of Industry, The Maryland Historical Society and The Cloisters Children’s Museum. She was also an active member The Costume Society of America and the United States Institute of Theatre Technology. In the 1970s and 1980s, she regularly led groups of students and community members on theatre tours of England.
Professor Baker is survived by her son, Christopher, and daughter, Caroline. A celebration of life will be held Friday, October 7, at 4 p.m. at the Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd., Lutherville, Maryland, 21093.
